411: Kyle Korver’s affinity for basketball arose during his youth while living in the Los Angeles area where he became a huge fan of the show time Lakers before he moved to Pella, Iowa with his family at the age of 13. Pella, Iowa’s most famous resident is Wyatt Earp, one of the best shooters in the west. Who knew Pella would raise one of the best shooters in the NBA. Kyle is from a basketball family. Kyle’s father, Kevin, his mother and two of his uncles played at Central College in Pella, Iowa. His mother, Laine, once scored an amazing 74 points in a high school game! Todd Barry, another uncle of Kyle’s, played at Northwestern College and coached the Red Raiders to the NAIA national title in 2001. Kyle’s three brothers, Kaleb, Klayton and Kirk, all have all played college basketball. Kirk currently plays at Missouri-Kansas City while they have a cousin, Kari, who currently plays at UCLA. Outside of basketball, Kyle enjoys golf, ping pong, bowling, horseshoes, croquet and pool. When it comes to giving back to the community, Kyle’s efforts are second to no one’s. He owns Seer Outfitters, a clothing brand, which gives all of its profits charity throughout the country. He has participated in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program many times. In Philadelphia, Kyle has held many coat drives through the Kyle Korver Foundation he established in 2006. These are just a few ways he contributes to the community. Listen to the interview below to learn more about Kyle, his mom’s 74 point effort in high school and his charity efforts.

Basketball Background: Kyle played high school basketball at Pella Community High School where in 2006, his number 25 jersey was deservedly retired. As a sophomore at Pella, Kyle led the team in rebounding on the way to the the first of three consecutive conference championships. He led the team in scoring and rebounding as s junior and senior and was named MVP of the team both seasons while also being selected First Team Class 3A All-State both seasons. As a senior, Kyle averaged 25 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 4 blocks per game while shooting 60% from the field and making 75 three-point baskets. In the three seasons Kyle played at Pella Community High School, their record was 62-10.

From Pella, Iowa Kyle would travel south to Omaha, Nebraska to play college basketball at Creighton University where he became the 6th player to repeat as Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year joining the likes of Larry Bird, Hershey Hawkins, Xavier McDaniel, Lewis Lloyd and Junior Bridgeman. Creighton made the NCAA tournament four straight seasons while Kyle was a Blue Jay. Kyle was the first Blue Jay to accomplish that feat. His 371 three-pointers are the most in school and Missouri Valley Conference history. Aside from that, Kyle won many awards and accolades during his college seasons from being named to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman Team in 2000 to being named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year in 2002 and 2003 while also being selected Second Team All-American in 2003.

Following an excellent four seasons at Creighton University, Kyle was taken in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets before his draft rights were traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for cash considerations. Kyle played four and a half seasons in Philadelphia before being trade to the Utah Jazz in 2007 for Gordan Giriček and a future first-round pick. While a 76er, Kyle averaged double digits each season outside his rookie season and in the 2004-2005 season he set a 76er franchise record with 226 three-point field goals made. In Utah, Kyle was used mainly as a three-point specialist off the bench. In his last season with the Jazz in 2009-2010, Kyle set a new NBA record for highest three-point percentage in a single season by making 53.6% of his three-point attempts. In July of 2010, Kyle signed with the Chicago Bulls as a free agent where he continued his sharp shooting role off the bench for the Bulls vaunted “Bench Mob”, averaging 8 points per game while shooting 42% from three-point range in two seasons. Last off season, Kyle was traded to the Atlanta Hawks for a trade exception and cash considerations. As a member of the Hawks last season, Kyle put up his best numbers as far as scoring (10.9), assists (4), and minutes played per game (30.5), in seven seasons starting 60 games, the most in his career. Kyle has made at least one three-pointer in 73 consecutive games which is the longest active streak in the NBA and fourth best in league history. This off season Kyle was resigned by the Atlanta Hawks to a 4 year deal.

Expectations: You can expect more of the same from Kyle Korver. He’s a knock down three-point shooter and he is also a very sage basketball player. Expect him to be able to adapt to coach Bud’s system on both ends of the floor. Kyle is one of the oldest players on the team at 32, but he is very dependable only missing 47 games in his NBA career. Kyle can also be depended upon off the court so expect Kyle to continue to give back through the Kyle Korver Foundation.

You may follow Kyle on twitter @KyleKorver. You may also follow myself, James, @nottydred for more Atlanta Hawks and sports entertainment information. Thank you and stay blessed.